Whilst big-name brands will always be coveted, there’s something special about a lesser-known name that feels like you’re keeping a (very stylish) secret. As new brands are still growing, they aren’t competing with the legacy of long-standing names, and can therefore focus on what they do best. Perhaps they excel in tailoring, honing in on seams or necklines to truly perfect their craft. It could be that the designer is knitwear-obsessed, narrowing the scope to one brilliant fabric to tell their style story. Some strike gold with a design feature that can identify the brand to those in the know, be it a small button or overarching colour story.
But discovering a new name is a task in itself. Unless a standout piece has starred on a red carpet, been highlighted on the runway or gone viral on social media, its hard to know where to start. For that, I always turn to NET-A-PORTER.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2000, NET-A-PORTER has positioned itself as a one-stop-shop for much-loved brands and new names to know. As editors, we work to keep you informed about new styles and trends as well as the names of up-and coming designers that should be on your radar. Thankfully, NET-A-PORTER makes that even easier by introducing upcoming designers into the mainstream, allowing us to see cool, creative new styles all in once place. Though the retailer consistently gives a platform to emerging names, I’ve focused on five standout designers that every fashion person should know.
Below, I’ll dip into each brand to give you an idea of what they’re all about. Although each has their own identity, they all focus on classic wardrobe fundamentals, each in their own way. Keep scrolling to explore the five new brands that just dropped on NET-A-PORTER.
As the name might suggest, form is a key cornerstone of this brand. With an absence of colour and focusing primarily on black and white, extra attention is placed on the cut and creation of each piece. This pared-back nature ensures that the craftspersonship is the foremost identifier of each design, with simplicity and refinement a common thread throughout the collection.
Founded by model and style icon Gigi Hadid, Guest In Residence’s ethos is long-standing, high-quality pieces to treasure forever. The brand has honed in on luxurious cashmere, making it the key fabric of all designs from sweaters to jumpsuits and trousers. There’s a preppy flair to the pieces that reflects Hadid’s own style and plays into the timelessness of the collection. Unafraid to play with colour, you’ll find a range bold hues and dramatic stripes alongside forever neutrals.
Liberowe is all about balance. Contrasting styles are blended in perfect harmony to create the brand’s strong look, which is influenced by traditional Indian menswear and 1970s Parisian styling. There’s another balance—masculine and feminine—that forms the androgynous signature present in each piece. Though jackets are the brand’s focus, the supporting classic shirts and mini skirts are far from a second thought. Note the multitude of buttons as a defining design detail.
To modernise knitwear is a tricky feat, but one that SASUPHI is excelling at this season. There’s a clear influence of architecture throughout, translated through accentuated cuffs, playful necklines and interesting slits. Whilst design is a clear driver, there remains a reliance on simplicity, though the brand doesn’t shy away from colour. You’ll find luxurious, fluffy cashmere alongside sleek silk-satin blends.
Another brand taking minimalism to the max, Veronica de Piante has a penchant for timeless tailoring and styles that transcend trends. Starting from wardrobe foundations, the brand builds upon classic designs, refining each element to ensure they serve your wardrobe for years to come. Veronica de Piante’s pieces are already selling quickly, as each high-end looking style fits seamlessly into any wardrobe, elevating it as it goes.
Get to know more of NET-A-PORTER’s designers here.